The Jimmy V Classic has always been very special to me. As a member of the board of directors for the V Foundation, Ive had the opportunity to spread the word about the job being done by the foundation to raise money for cancer research.It was also special because, up to this point, I would be working with my buddy, the late John Saunders. He had such a love for the Jimmy V Classic. Last year he worked the game as the play-by-play announcer. He often hosted halftime and between-the-game segments.We shared stories about the game and Jimmy Valvanos life. Let me tell you how close Jimmy V and John Saunders were. John named his daughter Jenna after him, using the same initials. Jenna Tianna Vanessa named after James Thomas Valvano.John developed such a special relationship with Jimmy when they worked together in the studio at ESPN. They often talked about their families and how much they meant to each other. There was so much passion, and that is what John displayed as he worked so hard to help the V Foundation. He was dedicated and worked so diligently for his buddys cause.Every year, John Saunders served as the emcee at my gala, which raises money for the V Foundation. I saw him interact with so many youngsters who were battling cancer. John had a love for people. He was as special as it gets.Everyone knew his talent as a broadcaster, whether it was on SportsCenter, hosting The Sports Reporters, calling a game, hosting college football or basketball studio shows. He was Mr. Versatility with the ability to communicate so well with people.John was a warm, caring guy, a loving husband and father whose family meant everything to him. He lived his life in a proper way.I can think about so many things about him that were so special to me. I get really emotional when I think about the fact that John is not with us anymore. He was there for me back in 2008 when I thought I had throat cancer. I had the scare of my life.I was getting ready for surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. I had to go through the presurgery rituals around 6:30 a.m. I was getting prepared when I walked in the room and sitting there was John Saunders, along with Sandy Montag (then with IMG). I could not believe it.I was shocked beyond belief. I get emotional just thinking about what that meant to me for John to show up.He said that he couldnt let me go in without wishing me luck.John and I set up a way to communicate how the surgery went. I carried around a card with a picture of St. Jude on it. I was squeezing it, praying. I told him that if the surgery was successful, he should give me a thumbs-up. If the news was not good, do nothing.When I came out of surgery and through the anesthesia before I snapped out of it, there was John Saunders. He gave me thumbs-up and I gave him a big hug.John was always there for me.Last April, when I was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, John Saunders presented me. His words were so special, and the fact that he was there meant the world to me.John was as good as it gets. Whenever I called him for a favor, he was right there.Oh, is he missed. He will never be forgotten.If you enjoyed watching John on ESPN, saw him on SportsCenter or calling a game, you will remember him. You can help by joining us and making a donation to the John Saunders Research Grant for Cancer Research. I am proud to say to all of the supporters out there who were touched by John, we have raised more than $100,000. That figure has been increased to more than $200,000 thanks to ESPN and John Skipper. That grant will be presented at my gala this year.John would be thrilled that those dollars will go to help kids battling cancer, so please make a donation.?I will never forget Aug. 10, 2016. I got the phone call from ESPNs Josh Krulewitz. We knew that John had some health problems in the past, but I was stunned beyond belief. We had no idea that he would pass so prematurely.He seemed so excited about life the last time I talked to him.Life is so short. Enjoy every moment.Dont forget about John Saunders when you watch Purdue and Arizona State and Duke against Florida at the Jimmy V Classic. He was a prime time player in the biggest game of all, the game of life. Cheap Soccer Jerseys China . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Free Shipping . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. http://www.cheapsoccerjerseys.co/ . 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It is the gamesmanship that could have cost Cronulla a shot at their maiden NRL title, but Sharks star James Maloney claims he feels no ill will towards Gold Coast centre Konrad Hurrell after his visit to the judiciary.Maloney risked a three-match ban by challenging his dangerous conduct charge at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night, a suspension that could have put a significant dent in the Sharks premiership hopes.As it was the panel of Bob Lindner, Royce Ayliffe and Sean Garlick took 10 minutes to find NSW playmaker Maloney not guilty of the charge which stemmed from Monday nights draw on the Gold Coast.During the hearing Maloney repeated his claim that his former Warriors teammate Hurrell told him post-match he was trying to milk a penalty after he apparently went down with a knee injury following the tackle late during the extra time period.If Hurrell was putting it on, it was a joke that could have cost the Sharks dearly, so critical is Maloney to their premiership aspirations.dddddddddddd But the 2013 Sydney Roosters title winner wasnt upset.It was all a bit of gamesmanship, there are no dramas there at all, Maloney said.I played with Konrad and we got on very well, there is no hard feelings about this at all.He was going to give evidence but we didnt need it.It follows up on more gamesmanship between the two sides after Sharks skipper Wade Graham cheated during the coin toss ahead of the extra time period.Maloney is now free to play Canberra in a top four encounter at Shark Park on Saturday, after the Sharks winning streak was halted at 15 by the draw with the Titans.It doesnt change anything for us, we never really bought into any talk about the streak, Maloney said.Canberra have been strong. Their attack is right on song so we will have to be good defensively. ' ' '